The use of GPS trackers in the US has hit the headlines on a number of occasions in recent years.

There were numerous stories about people discovering GPS trackers on their cars (see one example here). This caused a storm of concern about how widespread was their use. Tech site iFixit even got hold of one and did a teardown of it (see here).

Then, in Jan 2012, the Supreme Court ruled that the use of GPS trackers by law enforcement violated the Fourth Amendment which protects against unreasonable search and seizure. Before using them the court that a warrant was required.

But now it appears that the Obama administration think otherwise. They're set to take the case before an appeals court to test the decision.

I would worry that if this came to pass, that criminals (and others who just don't want to be tracked for whatever reason) will invest in and use a GPS jamming device continuously, thereby ruining GPS reception wherever they travel. It's not difficult to imagine the flow on effects with widespread use of GPS jammers.

iOS rokcs (but my typing - well....)
@PedroStephano

Posted by wrinklyninja on Fri Mar 22, 2013 9:52 am

This starts off the whole 'if you have nothing to hide what's the problem' issue. The problem with all these covert systems is that you have little or no recourse to be able to refute their findings even when they are faulty. eg. Hefty implied penalties if you wish to contest a speeding/red light ticket. Local councils are now increasingly being caught illegally spying on people and are even resorting to using private investigators to bypass the law limiting their powers. Worst part is that they are using our money to do it.